EAR: Hand on Heart. Premium lighters.

[El Presidente]

EAR: Email Assistance Required 

 

".....I know that you don't normally use a premium lighter. I think I remember you commenting on one of your video reviews that you haven''t ever come across one that lasts the test of time. Is this true?  My wife has given me a birthday cash gift of $500 for a premium lighter. However the more I look into it the more confused I become. Can you or the guys lend a hand?"

 

So that is your challenge gents. 

• Premium lighter. 
• Up to $500 USD 
• What would you choose

Please don't be that guy who says just buy $20 lighters as that is not the question being asked. 

 

Second question for me. 

Who here has a premium lighter that has successfully done 500+ lights and lasted 10 years .....trouble free. Please tell us what it is

 

Gracias 

 

 

[Bijan]

I had good luck with $100-$150 Colibri lighter.

Though I currently use their entry level ones.

I don't think they have anything over $200 though...

[chris12381]

Only lighters I have owned that long that have a premium feel and build quality that I would recommended to anyone is an IM Corona Old Boy. This lighter is bulletproof. I also have a  ST Dupont Ligne 2 that I bought used/not working. Parts are available (seals/gaskets/o-rings) for these lighters and it easy to fix myself though I'll be the first to admit I do not use it often. I'm afraid to lose it, scratch it, dent it, etc.  

Everything else I have is cheap, expensive and broken after a few years, etc. 

[MrBirdman]

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that even the highest end lighters are not maintenance free long term. If you want a high end lighter I’d consider asking/looking around at experiences with repairing things like the spark mechanism. I suspect maintenance of torch lighters is more intensive than soft flame because they burn through so much butane. 

There are enough old DuPonts kicking around that those must have good repairability, but the old ones are all soft flames. No idea if torch versions will have the same longevity (if that’s what you’re after). But ST DuPont is personally where I would look.

[hangten]

I picked up both off these DuPonts last year off of a Japanese eBay seller. He provides a video showing all the dings and dents as well as demonstrating the "ping" and adjustability off the flame. I got both for less than $350 each. One is a Ligne 2 the other a Gatsby.  Love them both as they are both beautiful even with the used character. I much preferred this route than buying new. But to be honest, a torch works better for me 😂.

 

[LOMTL]

For a soft flame, this is a tank. Bought July 25, 2001, new, went through 2 services. 1000s of lights from demi-tasse to Montecristo A. Only issue, haven't used it since summer, the silver gets stained as you can see and the gas is gone. Below 500 usd even today.

[Fugu]

Soft-flame almost never is an issue, for its technical simplicity: Pick what you fancy, and half a grand is easily spent.

In a jet-lighter - 500 bucks or not - function comes before looks (for me). So with torches, like it or not, and similar to what others report, I really got the best / most consistent and reliable results from cheapies (bonus adds), in the 1.5 to 10 $ range. But in terms of handling comfort I do prefer a sliding switch mechanism instead of a push button, which the cheapos are usually coming with. And I don’t like the open cap getting in the way. Many disappointments with higher priced jet lighters (60-150/200 range - Xikar, Colibri, Lamborghini). Getting a decent jet-nozzle, even within the same model, seems hit or miss (some work fine). A recent acquisition of a Defi-Xxtreme (double-jet) looks promising, but I haven’t got around to using it much thus far, so can’t say much about longevity. What I really do like about it is the perfect readability of the gas fill level. The torch inserts for Zippo are decent, too. With those you can look for a nice Zippo special then to mount it in. Of note there, that the two jets in the double-flame model do not converge, so flames stay parallel (one may like that or not).

Take the spare money and get your wife some flowers or take her to dinner.

[Chibearsv]

Buy a decent torch lighter and a box of BPC. I’ve got a Xikar tabletop that holds a ton of fuel and a Xifei single flame that I’ve had for years. Both work great. 

[GP012]

I have a dozen of the $2 Alibaba windproof jet flames kicking around the house, but prefer an excellent ST Dupont Xtend from ~2007.

[El Presidente]

I was once a semi premium lighter dealer. 

Predominantly, $300-$500 Colibri, Prometheus, Bugatti etal. 

Literally, < 1% of my profits, 99% of my problems.

Now they were all Torch lighters and I agree with what others have said on this thread. Getting a trouble free torch lighter, long term, is like winning the lottery. 

The input here is invaluable. Thank you 

[MickVanWinkle]

My go-to is a small DuPont (Slim 7 I think?). It has been a workhorse and has handled probably 250+ lights/year since I bought it (maybe 5 years). Only negative is butane capacity, but trade-offs to have the small profile. Also love my other DuPonts and Dunhills that are all north of $500, but speaks to the brands I think.  

I have a drawer or dozens of $50-$150 lighters that aren’t worth the time for me to service. Definitely take care of it and use a premium butane to avoid premature maintenance issues. 

[Slayer]

I've been using refillable cheapies, 1 dollar USD ones after my Dupont Extreme broke down 2 years ago (a "brand" called laoban here in HK, where newsagents around my area carry them). Bought 5-6 thinking they wouldnt last long, but here I am 2 years later having only lost one of them.

I also like the Zippo Butane inserts, they work well too.

[hangten]

Zippo is cool too.  I picked up this 50's sterling silver made in Italy so not really a zippo and it works well with a butane insert.  It did come with an original 50's zippo insert which has some value.  Total was under $150.

[Fuzz]

Most expensive lighter I bought (besides my table top Vector Tri-Pump) was a Xikar Axia lighter. Was nice when it worked, but it had a small fuel tank. Didn't last more than 5 years before it started to have problems. Eventually, the plastic tank cracked and released liquid butane all over my hand.

I figure expensive lighters are nice to see and hold, but not worth the money. More than happy with the Iroda lighter and the butane inserts for my Zippos.

[Mr. Japan]

My first red Dupont Jet Flame lasted 11 years then I lost it ( do not think stolen as it was all scratched). never let me down and I used regular gas (not original Dupont). The new Dupont purchased after lasted few years and started giving me problems.  The non jet flame Dupont (over 500 US$) also last years and years. have few of them, but frankly I also use them less.

[BrightonCorgi]

23 hours ago, hangten said:

I picked up both off these DuPonts last year off of a Japanese eBay seller. He provides a video showing all the dings and dents as well as demonstrating the "ping" and adjustability off the flame. I got both for less than $350 each. One is a Ligne 2 the other a Gatsby.  Love them both as they are both beautiful even with the used character. I much preferred this route than buying new. But to be honest, a torch works better for me 😂.

I have this same lighter. It was a gift ~1995 and has been serviced 3-4 times. They end up leaking whether you use them or not. I rarely use this lighter today. I used to buy them on Craigslist and like and resell them.

My recommendation is look for an older Dupont or Dunhill lighter used. I'd go for the gold filled, but that just my preference. Get the lighter serviced with a dual flame if it does not have one. There's a firm in North Carolina that specializes in lighter service and carry several repaired lighters at attractive prices.

If you want new, there is little difference between the fake and real Duponts. Some of the fake one have a louder ping. I am not a fan of fake anything, but I get why one would be buy a fake Dupont.

If you're in NYC, Bergdorf has a great selection of vintage lighters. If you're not in a rush, check out Bonhams or Chrisitie's auctions  Nice lighters come up all the time. Davidoff, Dunhill, Dupont, or Cartier are all on the same level. I question if many are manufactured by the same company.

Is this a lighter you want to carry with you or just use at home? If the latter, look at a table top lighter.

[Cigar Surgeon]

If you're looking for a really nice show piece than the ST Dupont Biggy is probably the way to go. Same finish options as the more expensive Ligne series but they're all torches. 

As far as maintenance goes; everything in life seems to require maintenance and torches are no different. I have dozens and they all work after more than a decade on some. But they do require tlc from time to time. 

[VictorEremita]

12 hours ago, MickVanWinkle said:

My go-to is a small DuPont (Slim 7 I think?). It has been a workhorse and has handled probably 250+ lights/year since I bought it (maybe 5 years). Only negative is butane capacity, but trade-offs to have the small profile. Also love my other DuPonts and Dunhills that are all north of $500, but speaks to the brands I think.  

I have a drawer or dozens of $50-$150 lighters that aren’t worth the time for me to service. Definitely take care of it and use a premium butane to avoid premature maintenance issues. 

Much the same for me. A small Dupont torch (called a minijet or something like that) which lights on the first or second try. Downside: has a small tank and only fits their propriety fuel canisters. Otherwise it's been great for me.

[joeypots]

18 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Please don't be that guy who says just buy $20 lighters as that is not the question being asked. 

OK, buy ten dollar lighters and use your money to buy cigars. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things. I’ve never had a Dupont and love the way they look but I don’t think my better half would approve.  And I don’t like the idea that the more expensive a lighter is the more I have to fiddle with it. I like cigars more than the toys associated with cigars. I have a couple of Vertigos that have been going strong for years and I’ve never had to fix one. Just my .02$

 

[Ford2112]

I found an old Dupont soft flame lighter at my buddy's house in Greece. I'm gonna talk him in to getting it serviced. It is from the mid 90s from what I can tell. Personally if I were going to get an expensive lighter I'd want a vintage one. I'd rarely use it but they are super cool.

[sdlaird]

Hey all!  I don't post much, but read a lot.

ST Dupont Maxi Jet -- you can get two for under $500. Hands down the best, most reliable torch lighter I've ever owned. I have 2 (sadly lost one a few years ago) Torch lighters can be the most frustrating cigar accessory and these are durable and reliable. Fit in the pocket and can go anywhere. I smoke a lot of cigars on the golf course and they handle wind pretty well, have gotten soaked in the rain, dropped, used by guys that try to stick the cigar inside the lighter when lighting. Works every time. 

[Li Bai]

14 hours ago, sdlaird said:

Hey all!  I don't post much, but read a lot.

ST Dupont Maxi Jet -- you can get two for under $500. Hands down the best, most reliable torch lighter I've ever owned. I have 2 (sadly lost one a few years ago) Torch lighters can be the most frustrating cigar accessory and these are durable and reliable. Fit in the pocket and can go anywhere. I smoke a lot of cigars on the golf course and they handle wind pretty well, have gotten soaked in the rain, dropped, used by guys that try to stick the cigar inside the lighter when lighting. Works every time. 

You lucky man! Mine is a catastrophe...Worked 6 months, got it fixed and then had to let him down for good, it's somewhere in a box and hasn't seen the light of day for more than 10 years...

Maybe it's bad luck, I wish it worked like yours because I liked the look!

[BrightonCorgi]

6 hours ago, joeypots said:

OK, buy ten dollar lighters and use your money to buy cigars. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things. I’ve never had a Dupont and love the way they look but I don’t think my better half would approve.  And I don’t like the idea that the more expensive a lighter is the more I have to fiddle with it. I like cigars more than the toys associated with cigars.

I hear you. I have had and sold several Duponts and a childhood friend use to run Dupont...I am more apt to light my cigar on the kitchen stove, Bic, or piece of cedar.

 

4 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I found an old Dupont soft flame lighter at my buddy's house in Greece. I'm gonna talk him in to getting it serviced . It is from the mid 90s from what I can tell. Personally if I were going to get an expensive lighter I'd want a vintage one . I'd rarely use it but they are super cool.

Dunhills have more cache if going older. A butane Trench or gold Rollagas lighter is as iconic as it gets. 

 

 

[chris12381]

4 hours ago, sdlaird said:

Hey all!  I don't post much, but read a lot.

ST Dupont Maxi Jet -- you can get two for under $500. Hands down the best, most reliable torch lighter I've ever owned. 

This was one of my favorite lighters. The size and price point were just right and I really really wanted to like the two I owned. However the first one I had began to experience bending of the metal case outwards. This isn't mine but illustrates the beginning of the problem.

It quickly became apparent the plastic propane tank was deforming and was forcing the case outwards.  This was after about a two years of normal use.  The second one?  Same exact problem after about the same amount of time.  

[PigFish]

For me a premium lighter is a Dupont. The fact remains that I own several and use them very little. They are not very convenient to use outside and that is where I smoke most often,

A premium lighter is a thing of beauty and not really one of highest function (MHO). Like a mechanical watch, it has its limitations. You like them for what they are, or you don’t. “No-watch” is better than an Apple Watch to me!

I am not going to call Zippos premium, but you can pay 3 figures for one if you have the taste for it. While not ‘premium’ they are in many ways better than premium. They are fun! They are also pretty practical, especially with a jet insert. I have tons of Zippos for that reason. Toss away lighters are crap, and I don’t want a jet lighter that will make a skateboard sonic. I want a fun and classy jet lighter that looks high-class and acts ‘working-class.’

High-class…

Working class…

 

 

I use a Zippo, like one above every smoking day! That makes them extraordinary in my opinion.

Good luck! -the Pig